Chain guard: Clutch derailleurs have helped keep our chains
from slapping around on the trails; however, a proper chain
guard should still always be used to help protect your frame.

If your bike doesn’t already have a chain guard, we highly
encourage you to add one. ❏

know. First off, running lap after lap in the
bike park will quickly wear out the normal
wear-and-tear items of a bike, such as its
tires, brakes and suspension. When riding at a bike park, it’s best to outfit your
bike with burlier tires that can withstand
the abuse caused by barreling down the
mountain at high speeds.

Your brakes are going to get a good
workout too. Bike parks with long descents
can cook your brakes and wear them out
quickly. After shredding in the bike park,
it’s always a good idea to check your pads
and bleed your brakes when they start to
feel mushy.

Suspension components take a serious
beating at most bike parks. The combination of high-speed rock gardens and
big jumps and drops give the oil in your
suspension a workout. This type of riding
will require riders to have their suspension
serviced more often than if they just rode
mellow local trails.